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I've used Stampin Up sponges and daubers for forever. Kind of looking for something else. I hate how inky my fingers get using the sponges. I did see a video though where someone used the sponges but used a binder clip on it to hold on to. I might start doing that. Just wondering what else is out there and what your favorites are. Photos would be nice.
And do you have one for each ink pad you own? Or say just one for blues, ones for reds, etc.
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Life is NOT a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely BUT...to skid in sideways, chocolate in hand and screamingWOOHOO-WHAT A RIDE!
1) Mini Ink Blending Foam pads and handles by Ranger, 2) Tsukineko Sponge Daubers that fit over a finger or you can hold them, and 3) these things that look like big marshmallows.
I love the Tsukinekos for small areas and detailed blending.
Ranger mini foam pads are tucked into the bottom of each mini Distress ink pad and other mini ink pads. They fit perfectly.
For regular sized ink pads, I have a couple minis per color family, tossed into a clear box: 2-3 for light blues, 2-3 for light and darker yellows, etc. When selecting inks for a project, I just pull out minis that "match" - takes a few seconds. I have three handles so there isn't tons of switching when stamping, plus keep extras.
Finger daubers live in a great box with 2-3 per color family, plus extras. It doesn't matter if a dauber used for pale aqua is later used for light aqua.
I'm a labeling fanatic, but it seemed overkill and a hassle to label every mini pad and dauber, and only be able use it for one ink color. (The ones poked into the bottom of each mini Distress ink are convenient though.)
I was going to label the daubers and dauber box - you can download a chart that fits into the top. But if a dauber is used for lipstick red, it can be used for apple red.
Scrapbook.com seems to have some good prices on daubers (?), though I haven't kept up - like the box filled with 40 daubers for about $24, and other options. Sponge Dauber Storage Box with 40 Daubers Included
Scrapbook.com seems to have some good prices on daubers (?), though I haven't kept up - like the box filled with 40 daubers for about $24, and other options. Sponge Dauber Storage Box with 40 Daubers Included
wavejumper, I think you mean the Colorbox stylus tool, and you can still get them from Stampscapes. Kevin stocks them because they're his go-to tool. I ordered some from him because they seem non existent in the UK.
They are something I use a lot, also mini blending tool. I also use brushes- large soft fluffy ones I find give the best blend. Either Clarity Brushes, or if you have an art shop that sells ROYAL brushes, have a look for 1" and 1/2" ones, they make fabulous blending brushes.
Look for the ones with the Fuschia coloured ends, and a soft white hair head.
Thanks Shaz-that is it exactly. If we ask for "color snap stylus" on google a lot of shopping choices come up for us here including Amazon and Walmart. Maybe Amazon would be an option for you?
Wavejumper,I haven't actually checked our Amazon, how daft is that?lol. However, I do have to say that Kevin is a fantastic store owner, and second to none for service. I also wanted some Marvy re-inkers- reinkers, apart from DI are also almost non existent in the UK-, and asked him roughly how many I could fit into his standard shipping box, and if I could get a few inkpads and some stylus tips in as well. Not only did he get back to me real fast, he'd actually sat down with a shipping box, and tried various permutations of pads/inkers/stylus tips, so I could see how many I could order! You can't argue with that sort of customer service, can you?
This should make you laugh! I just looked on Amazon, and they do have them. Do you want to know why I couldn't find them before? I was spelling colour as we Brits do, not Color, as you do!
I love Clarity brushes for blending too, should have come to mind immediately, sieve mind. I bought mine from Tupelo Design. No extra charge for shipping, which is very fast too. tupelodesignllc.com
When I first started buying online, I actually was looking at stuff like Overstock.com. It didnt occur to me companies might sell direct!
That's a wonderful testimony though for Stampscapes and Kevin! I love that story! I am always in awe when I look at his gallery. Just blows me away! I am sort of surprised I dont see more of his stamps in our gallery here.
Which brings up another way to blend-brayers. I have the best luck on glossy with that. I was shown that and Stampscapes in the same class.
#1. Clarity stencil brushes
#2. Ranger mini blending sponges
__________________ Linda E
Caution: You are entering an artistic zone. This is not clutter - this is creating. These are not pajamas - it's my work uniform.
I have a very thrifty, not cheap, friend who uses the stiff foam from the foam tiles that fit together. One foam tile will make a lifetimes worth of ink blenders, and also makes a great stamping surface for clear stamps. She gets the foam tiles from the Dollar store, and says that you waste way less ink with this kind of foam because it doesn't absorb into the sponge the way it does with the soft foam like the TH ink blenders. I've tried this foam and it is great, I like it better than the others, I get a smoother blend. You can cut it to any size you want and because it is firm, I find that you don't get covered in ink.
I've never looked for them at the Dollar store, my friend gave some cut pieces to try. I think the ones at the Dollar store are about a foot square and are for kids and come in bright colours. I don't think they have the rubber top like the big floor ones. You can use the big floor ones also, the gray backside is great for ink blending. It is also that dense foam.
It depends on the type of sponging I am trying to achieve, I mainly use the Ranger blending tool and sponges (rectangle ones) and more recently the mini's (round ones) but I also use daubers for smaller or more controlled areas. SU sponges are also good and will give you a different blended effect.
One of my favourites for larger areas starting around masked images is shaving brushes, I have dozens of them all labelled with the colours I have used.
I also use make-up sponges, the wedge type, I bend them over clip the ends together with a bulldog paper clip and write the colour onto the metal part of the clip. I don't use these so much because they take up a lot of ink but if you want heavier coverage then they are very good.
Hope this helps, I love blending and do it a lot, check out my gallery. ;)
I use Ranger blending tools - prefer the round to the oblong. I'm still "seasoning" my sponges which means I'm not doing the best job of blending. One of the things I do like and am using more is felt. I die cut circles the size of the blending tool and use them and they give a really soft look which does give me more control. The only drawback is that occcasionally they get fuzzy.
__________________ ShariW
Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart-Prov.3:5a
My favorite tool are the German Airebrush stipple brushes. I don't like any other brush for giving me the coverage I like. I've tried other brands and they are either too soft or too few bristles.
I love blending with sponges---nothing special, I use pieces I cut from a huge car wash sponge. I have maybe a dozen in different sizes, but not one for each color. When I'm done with a session, I rinse them out with soap and water at the kitchen sink. They may be stained, but they do not have any color left in them. Then I can just quickly grab any one I want and use it. I put it on top of the ink pad I used it in while I'm working, but put them in a dish when I'm all done and wash them up, just like I would paint brushes, which I don't reserve a special one for each color either.
What's your favorite ink blending tool?
